Abbreviations and Acronyms are similar to each other as they both are short forms of longer words; however they are two different parts of the English language.

Abbreviations are shortened versions of one or two words which are still pronounced the same way, even if they are written as an abbreviation.

Mr. Hall is pronounced Mister Hall and not M-R Hall.

This rule is only relaxed when the abbreviation is of a word taken from another language like e.g. which actually stands for exempli gratia. In this case, we say the meaning of the phrase instead of the phrase it self - for example instead of exempli gratia.

Acronyms, on the other hand, are shortened versions of phrases that are most often the names of something. They are pronounced as their short forms rather than their actual full form.

NATO is pronounced NAY-TOE and not as North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Acronyms are also pronounced by the individual alphabet like with U.N, FBI, etc.

List of Abbreviations:

Latin Abbreviations

Abbreviations

Full Form

Meaning

Use

A.D

Anno Domini

In the year of our lord

Used to show years after the birth of Jesus Christ -1600 A.D

a.m

Ante Meridian

Before midday

Used for the hours after midnight and before noon - 10a.m, 2a.m

c. / ca.

Circa

Approximately

Used for years/months when not sure of exact date - ca. 1500

C.V

Curriculum Vitae

Course of Life

A document summarizing a person’s education and experience.

e.g.

Exempli gratia

For example

To give an example or instance of something - different cities, e.g. New York, Delhi, Beijing etc.

Et al.

Et Alii

And others

Used to show that there are more names that are unmentioned on a list - Tom, Jane, Jack et al.

Etc.

Et cetera

And other things

Used to signify similar things that are unmentioned on a list - milk, cheese, yoghurt etc.

i.e.

Id est

In other words / That is

Used in sentences to rephrase or show a connection between clauses - Jack, i.e. the most popular senior, likes Beth.

p.a

Per Annum

Through the year

Used to show something in the manner of ‘yearly’ - He earns 2 million dollars p.a.

p.m

Post meridian

After midday

Used to show the hours after midday and before midnight - 10p.m, 2p.m

P.S

Post Scriptum

Something written after the main text was finished.

Used mainly in letters to add something extra after the signoff - Yours Shirley,

P.S - I’ll be in Canada for 2 weeks.

R.I.P

Requiescat in pace

May he/she rest in peace

Used as a prayer for someone who has died - May Janet R.I.P.

Stat

Statim

Immediately

Used most often in the medical fields - This man needs a bypass stat.

Abbreviations Related to Names

Abbreviation

Meaning

Use

Dr.

Doctor

Dr. Smith was also invited.

Gen.

General (army)

Gen. Luke ordered them to fire at the enemy.

Hon.

Honorable

Hon. James Smith gave away the prizes.

Mr.

Mister

Mr. Hall is in office at the moment.

Mrs.

Mistress

Mrs. Hall is waiting for her car.

Ms.

Miss

Ms. Jane Watson is here to see you.

Prof.

Professor

Prof. Jain is a popular faculty in college.

Rev.

Reverend (clergyman)

Rev. Jones blessed the house today.

Sr. / Jr.

Senior / Junior

Bates Sr. and Harry Bates Jr. were inspecting the grounds.

St.

Saint

St. Patrick is one of the most popular Irish saints.

General Abbreviations

Abbreviations

Meaning

Use

Assn.

Association

They named their club; Assn. of Low and Highs.

Ave.

Avenue

They said they would be waiting at Lexington Ave.

Dept.

Department

The Arts Dept. is holding a bake sale.

Est.

Established

Annabel’s est. 1963 in London, England.

Fig.

Figure

Look to fig. 8 to see how the process takes place.

Hrs.

Hours

We will reach the next camp at 1500hrs.

Inc.

Incorporated

Apple Inc. was founded in the 1970s by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.

Mt.

Mount

Mt. Everest is the tallest mountain on earth.

No.

Number

The address is House no. 64, Mulberry Lane.

Oz.

Ounces

The recipe needs 34 oz. of honey.

Sq.

Square

The rent is 100 dollar per sq. inch.

St.

Street

The shop is located at Xyza St. near the intersection.

Vs

Versus

The final match is going to be Australia vs. India.

Abbreviations of Grammar

Abbreviation

Meaning

Abbr.

Abbreviation / Abbreviated

Adj.

Adjective

Adv.

Adverb

Obj.

Objective

Pl.

Plural

Poss.

Possessive

Prep.

Preposition

Pron.

Pronoun

Pseud.

Pseudonym

Sing.

Singular

Syn.

Synonym

Trans.

Translation

V. / Vb.

Verb

List of Acronyms:

General Acronyms

Acronym

Full Form

What It Is

ATM

Automated Teller Machine

A computerised cash dispenser

BPO

Business Process Outsourcing

The outsourcing of specific functions of a business to a third party.

CAT

Common Admission Test

An ability based admission test conducted by the Indian Institute of Management.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic Acid

The molecule in any living being that contains all the genetic data of the living being.

DVD

Digital Versatile Disk

A compact optical storage disk, used for storing videos and other information.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

A common section in most sites containing common queries from the visitors.

HR

Human Resources

The workforce of any organisation can also refer to the department that is in charge of human resources.

LCD

Liquid Crystal Display

A type of video display panel

LED

Light Emitting Diode

A glowing light source used in indicators.

PC

Personal Computer

A computer whose size, price and capabilities are useful for individual use.

RAM

Random Access Memory

A way/disk to store data on a computer

SONAR

Sound Navigation And Ranging

A technique that uses echoes to navigate or communicate usually used in submarines.

USP

Unique Selling Proposition

A term used to show how one product or service is different and unique from another.

VIP

Very Important Person

A person who gets special privileges due to their status or importance.

Abbreviations and Acronyms are similar to each other as they both are short forms of longer words; however they are two different parts of the English language.

Abbreviations are shortened versions of one or two words which are still pronounced the same way, even if they are written as an abbreviation.

Mr. Hall is pronounced Mister Hall and not M-R Hall.

This rule is only relaxed when the abbreviation is of a word taken from another language like e.g. which actually stands for exempli gratia. In this case, we say the meaning of the phrase instead of the phrase it self - for example instead of exempli gratia.

Acronyms, on the other hand, are shortened versions of phrases that are most often the names of something. They are pronounced as their short forms rather than their actual full form.

NATO is pronounced NAY-TOE and not as North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Acronyms are also pronounced by the individual alphabet like with U.N, FBI, etc.

List of Abbreviations:

Latin Abbreviations

Abbreviations

Full Form

Meaning

Use

A.D

Anno Domini

In the year of our lord

Used to show years after the birth of Jesus Christ -1600 A.D

a.m

Ante Meridian

Before midday

Used for the hours after midnight and before noon - 10a.m, 2a.m

c. / ca.

Circa

Approximately

Used for years/months when not sure of exact date - ca. 1500

C.V

Curriculum Vitae

Course of Life

A document summarizing a person’s education and experience.

e.g.

Exempli gratia

For example

To give an example or instance of something - different cities, e.g. New York, Delhi, Beijing etc.

Et al.

Et Alii

And others

Used to show that there are more names that are unmentioned on a list - Tom, Jane, Jack et al.

Etc.

Et cetera

And other things

Used to signify similar things that are unmentioned on a list - milk, cheese, yoghurt etc.

i.e.

Id est

In other words / That is

Used in sentences to rephrase or show a connection between clauses - Jack, i.e. the most popular senior, likes Beth.

p.a

Per Annum

Through the year

Used to show something in the manner of ‘yearly’ - He earns 2 million dollars p.a.

p.m

Post meridian

After midday

Used to show the hours after midday and before midnight - 10p.m, 2p.m

P.S

Post Scriptum

Something written after the main text was finished.

Used mainly in letters to add something extra after the signoff - Yours Shirley,

P.S - I’ll be in Canada for 2 weeks.

R.I.P

Requiescat in pace

May he/she rest in peace

Used as a prayer for someone who has died - May Janet R.I.P.

Stat

Statim

Immediately

Used most often in the medical fields - This man needs a bypass stat.

Abbreviations Related to Names

Abbreviation

Meaning

Use

Dr.

Doctor

Dr. Smith was also invited.

Gen.

General (army)

Gen. Luke ordered them to fire at the enemy.

Hon.

Honorable

Hon. James Smith gave away the prizes.

Mr.

Mister

Mr. Hall is in office at the moment.

Mrs.

Mistress

Mrs. Hall is waiting for her car.

Ms.

Miss

Ms. Jane Watson is here to see you.

Prof.

Professor

Prof. Jain is a popular faculty in college.

Rev.

Reverend (clergyman)

Rev. Jones blessed the house today.

Sr. / Jr.

Senior / Junior

Bates Sr. and Harry Bates Jr. were inspecting the grounds.

St.

Saint

St. Patrick is one of the most popular Irish saints.

General Abbreviations

Abbreviations

Meaning

Use

Assn.

Association

They named their club; Assn. of Low and Highs.

Ave.

Avenue

They said they would be waiting at Lexington Ave.

Dept.

Department

The Arts Dept. is holding a bake sale.

Est.

Established

Annabel’s est. 1963 in London, England.

Fig.

Figure

Look to fig. 8 to see how the process takes place.

Hrs.

Hours

We will reach the next camp at 1500hrs.

Inc.

Incorporated

Apple Inc. was founded in the 1970s by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.

Mt.

Mount

Mt. Everest is the tallest mountain on earth.

No.

Number

The address is House no. 64, Mulberry Lane.

Oz.

Ounces

The recipe needs 34 oz. of honey.

Sq.

Square

The rent is 100 dollar per sq. inch.

St.

Street

The shop is located at Xyza St. near the intersection.

Vs

Versus

The final match is going to be Australia vs. India.

Abbreviations of Grammar

Abbreviation

Meaning

Abbr.

Abbreviation / Abbreviated

Adj.

Adjective

Adv.

Adverb

Obj.

Objective

Pl.

Plural

Poss.

Possessive

Prep.

Preposition

Pron.

Pronoun

Pseud.

Pseudonym

Sing.

Singular

Syn.

Synonym

Trans.

Translation

V. / Vb.

Verb

List of Acronyms:

General Acronyms

Acronym

Full Form

What It Is

ATM

Automated Teller Machine

A computerised cash dispenser

BPO

Business Process Outsourcing

The outsourcing of specific functions of a business to a third party.

CAT

Common Admission Test

An ability based admission test conducted by the Indian Institute of Management.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic Acid

The molecule in any living being that contains all the genetic data of the living being.

DVD

Digital Versatile Disk

A compact optical storage disk, used for storing videos and other information.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

A common section in most sites containing common queries from the visitors.

HR

Human Resources

The workforce of any organisation can also refer to the department that is in charge of human resources.

LCD

Liquid Crystal Display

A type of video display panel

LED

Light Emitting Diode

A glowing light source used in indicators.

PC

Personal Computer

A computer whose size, price and capabilities are useful for individual use.

RAM

Random Access Memory

A way/disk to store data on a computer

SONAR

Sound Navigation And Ranging

A technique that uses echoes to navigate or communicate usually used in submarines.

USP

Unique Selling Proposition

A term used to show how one product or service is different and unique from another.

VIP

Very Important Person

A person who gets special privileges due to their status or importance.